Red, White and Blue

Walker, Barrett spar over jobs numbers

By The Associated Press

CREATED May. 31, 2012

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  • Gubernatorial Candidates Tom Barrett (D-Milwaukee), Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa).

MADISON- Republican Gov. Scott Walker and his Democratic challenger Tom Barrett are sparring over whether jobs were created in Walker's first year in office.

Walker and Barrett had a spirited exchange over jobs in Thursday's second and final debate before Tuesday's recall election.

Walker two weeks ago issued employment data that showed about 23,300 jobs were created in 2011, a dramatic positive swing from previously reported numbers showing a 33,900 drop, which was worst in the nation.

Walker says he knows the new numbers undermine Barrett's campaign, but "the facts are the facts."

Barrett says even if his numbers are to be believed, Wisconsin's job creation numbers would still be the worst in the Big Ten.